Zhao Tao’s ‘Rock’, Shu Qi’s ‘Flowers’, and Xin Zhilei’s ‘Sharp Blade’

On the evening of September 6, 2025, the star-studded sky over the Lido Island in Venice, Italy shone like never before for Chinese female filmmakers. The trio of 70s and 80s Asian women emerged as a force, epitomizing a perfect integration of feminine resilience. As the presenter announced the winner of the ‘Volpi Cup for Best Actress’ at the 82nd Venice International Film Festival, the world witnessed Xin Zhilei’s poignant and powerful performance in Cai Shangjun’s realistic masterpiece ‘The Sun Rises on Us All,’ earning her the coveted Best Actress award and making her the first mainland Chinese and third Chinese actress (after Gong Li and Maggie Cheung) to win at Venice.